The Call of Caramoor

Situated roughly 50 miles above NYC in Westchester County, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is a gorgeous rolling estate and acclaimed performing arts venue that hosts some of the best symphonic and operatic performances in New York. The historic venue recently came to Listen to update their pre-concert “call to seats” sounds.

Our “Call of Caramoor” bells will announce all the concerts in the renowned Venetian Theater, and add to guests’ sense of anticipation ahead of every performance.

As Listen Founder Partner Steve Milton puts it, these bells are “grounded by a serene melody that blossoms slowly, as if emerging from the natural sounds of the woods. The call will ring out at regular intervals as the performance grows closer, first at 30 minutes before, then 15, 10, and finally 5. With each repetition, the core melody will take shape and increase in prominence, evolving from a gentle ambience to a clear, resounding alert that politely urges our guests to take their seats.”

We were inspired by birdsong’s conversational qualities (connoting community), and the natural beauty of the estate itself in composing these sounds — as well as the historical connotations of bells themselves, often associated with ritualistic gatherings.

Our hope is that the Call of Caramoor sets the mood and whets audience appetites for the extraordinary music yet to come. If you’re planning an excursion to Caramoor this summer for their Summer Music Festival, keep an ear out for our chimes.